Passengers can now fly from Liverpool to the USA via Iceland after airline PLAY arrived at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The budget Icelandic airline's first service from Reykjavik landed at Liverpool on Friday morning and was welcomed with an aircraft 'baptism' from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service as it taxied towards the terminal. Members of staff from the airport and PLAY cut a ribbon outside the aircraft to declare the route open.
PLAY will operate flights between Liverpool and Iceland on Mondays and Fridays. Once passengers get to Keflavík International Airport, they can then change onto services to American destinations including New York, Boston and Washington DC. The price for a single ticket from Liverpool to Iceland will begin at £41, while flights to New York begin at £116.
READ MORE: Port of Liverpool redundancies planned as bosses say market sees 'significant decline in volume'
On board Friday's flight into Liverpool were a group of Icelandic Evertonians, heading to the club's home game against Manchester United on Sunday (October 9). They were welcomed off the plane by Everton and Scotland right-back Nathan Patterson, who handed out scarves to the group.
Paul Winfield, Liverpool Airport's director of aviation development, told the ECHO : "It's another good moment for the airport - the second new airline this year. It offers connections to Iceland, which we know is a popular destination for people from the North West.
"Importantly, it also offers connections to America - New York, Washington and Boston, and with really good fares.
"We look at numbers and we see that Manchester is one of the biggest markets in Europe to America. We know that the Liverpool region is sending a lot of those passengers over to Manchester.
So our aim generally, not just with this route, is to provide opportunities for passengers in the North West to come here. People tell us that they want to fly from Liverpool - it’s faster, easier and generally a more relaxed experience."
Paul believes that the addition of PLAY to Liverpool Airport's airline partners, following Lufthansa in May, is a show of ambition and displays how they have recovered from the pandemic.
He said: "With Lufthansa ( providing global connections from its hub in Frankfurt ), we're taking passengers out to far-flung destinations. We've had people flying to Auckland, Sydney, Singapore. Traditionally people have thought Manchester is the option, but passengers are showing us they want to fly from here and our ambition won't stop there."
Birgir Jónsson, PLAY CEO added: "Iceland’s extraordinary scenery, rich wildlife and bustling beer scene makes for an epic weekend away and we can’t wait for those in the North West region of the UK to come and experience it. We hope that football mad Icelanders will be welcomed much the same as they travel to Liverpool in search of the famed atmosphere of Anfield and Goodison Park."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Face of kidnapper who was stabbed after abducting 12-year-old bo y
Port of Liverpool redundancies planned as bosses say market sees 'significant decline in volume'
Liverpool DJ will 'keep sounds moving from above' after tragic death
Martin Lewis explains when to use your washing machine amid energy blackout warning
UFC star Paddy Pimblett issues request to fans before agreeing to take a photo
